Drinking Straw With Rounded Tip

ABSTRACT

A Straw with a Rounded Tip for a more comfortable and safe straw. The Straw with a Rounded Tip generally includes a rounded tip at either one or both ends of the straw. The invention is the rounded tip portion of the straw. The rounded tip can be either hollow or filled with some substance, including but not limited to the material used in the construction of the body of the straw. The rounded tip can be formed by folding over the body of the straw at the end so that the resulting shape at the end is smooth and rounded. Alternatively, a mass of material may be formed into a rounded shape at the end to create the same effect. The straw can be any length, width, inside or outside diameter, and shape, as long as it has a rounded tip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to drinking straws and more specifically it relates to a drinking straw with a rounded tip on either one or both ends of the straw, as a measure to increase comfort during use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a drinking straw which includes a rounded tip on either one or both ends of the straw.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

An object is to provide a drinking straw that is more comfortable to use than the current, common drinking straw. The straw will be able to be used in applications common to current drinking straw designs, such as for drinking beverages from a cup, mug, can, glass or any other beverage receptacle, either with or without a lid.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a full view of the exterior of the Straw with Rounded Tip. This example shows a straw with a rounded tip on only one end of the straw, but the invention also applies to a straw with rounded tips on both ends.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of FIG. 1. The straw is shown cut in half at the middle so as to illustrate the overall construction of the rounded tip. Again, this shows a straw with a rounded tip on only one end of the straw, but the invention also applies to a straw with rounded tips on both ends.

FIG. 3 is a top angle view of the straw. It shows a line where the rounded tip begins, and the rounded shape of the tip. It shows that the straw is hollow like other straws, but instead of an abrupt edge at the opening, there is a rounded tip.

FIG. 4 is a closer view of the rounded tip in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a closer view of the rounded tip FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is an angled cutaway view of the rounded tip when the straw is cut in half down the middle. It shows the body of the straw folded over on itself and rejoined with the body of the straw farther down the shaft. This is one possible variation of the design.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, shown from a slightly farther distance.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7, shown from the opposite angle.

FIG. 9 is a head-on cutaway view of the rounded tip. It shows the shape of the straw body as it folds over on itself and rejoins with the body of the straw farther down the shaft. In this illustration, the space inside the rounded tip is hollow, or air-filled.

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9, but instead of showing a hollow, air-filled space inside the rounded tip, the rounded tip is a solid mass of material. This is just one possible variation of the design. The invention is not limited to the two designs illustrated herein.

FIG. 11 is the straw as viewed from directly above. The white section shows the width of the rounded tip, while the gray portion is the view down the body of the straw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Rounded Tip.

B. Rounded Tip

The tip of the straw (either one end or both ends) is rounded. As in the illustrations, the shape of the tip of the straw is rounded and tapers back towards the body of the straw. The function of the rounded tip is to provide a more comfortable surface which the user will touch with his/her mouth, lips, and/or tongue during drinking. This will prevent any discomfort, or minor injury, which is possible when using common drinking straws due to their relatively sharp tips.

The design of the rounded tip can be hollow, as shown in the illustrations, so that the straw body folds over at the end and comes flush with the body of the straw at some point away from the end of the straw (detail of this design can be seen in FIGS. 6 through 9). The design of the rounded tip can also be solid so that the rounded tip is created by a mass of material at the end as shown in FIG. 10. The material composition of the rounded tip can be the same material as the rest of the straw structure, or alternatively it can be a different material.

The body portion of the straw is similar to the body of a regular drinking straw, in that it is a hollow cylinder with a diameter that is suitable for a person to drink liquid through. For example, the diameter for the straw can be as small as 1 or 2 millimeters, or up to 10 to 15 millimeters in the likely application as a drinking straw. However, the diameter is not limited to these sizes, and the straw can be any diameter appropriate for the application. The straw body can also be any length appropriate for the application. The thickness of the walls of the straw can be any thickness appropriate for the application. The straw can be made from any material appropriate for the application. In a common application as a drinking straw, some variety of plastic may be used. But other materials such as wood, paper, cardboard, silicone, or stainless steel may also be used. Depending on the materials used to construct the straw and the thickness of the straw, the intended use could be as a disposable straw or a reusable straw.

C. Connections of Main Elements and Sub-Elements of Invention

While the general straw design outlined herein can be described as a normal drinking straw shaft with a unique rounded tip at either one or both ends, the size, exact shape, wall thickness, and construction methods of both the straw shaft and the straw ends can vary by application, and the invention is not limited to the example outlined herein. The rounded straw tip or tips may be a continuation of the material of the straw body, or may be separate pieces joined together at some point in the construction process.

D. Alternative Embodiments of Invention

The embodiment of the invention outlined herein consists of a straw body (a hollow tube) with either one or both ends formed into a rounded tip. The rounded tip can be formed by the folding over of the straw shaft at the end or ends into a rounded shape which comes flush again with the body of the straw. Alternatively, the folded-over portion would not necessarily have to come flush again with the body of the straw. The space created inside the folded-over tip of the straw in this case would be hollow and filled with air, which, depending on the material used to construct the straw, may act as a soft cushion.

Another embodiment of the invention is similar to the first embodiment, except that instead of a hollow rounded tip, the rounded tip is filled with some substance, either a solid mass of material (for example, plastic or any other material used in the straw construction) or some other substance appropriate for the application. The substance can be any solid, liquid or gas of a suitable density to provide the desired level of cushion or support.

Another embodiment of the invention is similar to the first and second embodiment, except that instead of being constructed as a complete straw of the length usually used in conjunction with glasses or cups, the rounded tip portion can be a separate piece that can function as a removable attachment to be used with standard straws. For example, this embodiment could be a one inch long piece comprising of a rounded tip on one end, and a specific-diameter hole on the other end, as intended to be pressed on to the end of a common drinking straw with a complementary outer diameter such that pressing it on would keep it in place during normal use.

The invention is not limited to being used only for drinking applications. The invention is not limited to being used with a straw body of any specific length, width, diameter, or shape. The invention is also not limited to a rounded tip of any specific size, length, width, diameter, or shape. The inside diameter of the straw body can be constant the entire length of the straw, or alternatively it can be tapered either smaller or larger towards the ends of the straw.

E. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

The Straw with Rounded Tip operates in a similar manner to a normal drinking straw. The user uses the straw by applying suction to the straw with his or her mouth, thereby forcing liquid through the straw. The rounded tip of the straw provides many benefits; one benefit is a more comfortable surface that comes in contact with the user's mouth area, including the lips and tongue; another benefit is a reduced likelihood of injury compared to using a regular drinking straw, because the tips of the straw are rounded and therefore less likely to cause a cut or scrape. The safety benefits of the straw are not limited to its intended use, and the reduced likelihood of injury also applies to the straw's use outside the scope of its intended purpose, for example a small child playing with the straw.

What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention in which all terms are meant in their broadest, reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A drinking straw with rounded tip to facilitate comfortable use, comprising: a. a hollow tube, said tube having two ends; and b. either one, or both, ends of said hollow tube having a rounded or curved profile.
 2. A drinking straw as described in claim 1, wherein the rounded or curved profile of the end or ends is achieved through folding over of the straw body material and reattachment further down the shaft of the straw, thereby creating a hollow space within the rounded end.
 3. A drinking straw as described in claim 2, wherein the hollow space within the rounded end or ends is filled with a solid, liquid, or gas material to provide cushioning properties.
 4. A drinking straw as described in claim 1, wherein the rounded or curved profile of the end or ends is achieved with a solid mass of material in a smooth rounded shape.
 5. The drinking straw described in claim 1, wherein the straw is a disposable straw.
 6. The drinking straw described in claim 1, wherein the straw is a reusable straw.
 7. The drinking straw described in claim 1, wherein: a. the straw is intended to be used as a removable tip in conjunction with a regular drinking straw; and b. can be attached to the end of a regular drinking straw by being pressed on; and c. the diameter of the opening on one end of the straw is such that it will stay in place during normal use when pressed on the end of a conventional drinking straw of a complementary outside diameter. 